“My wife is an incredibly hard worker.” As we gazed at each other, Lord Viol’s hand gently stroked my hair. “I knew that, with you being such a hard worker, the day our child is born, you’ll undoubtedly push yourself to the point of collapse… I swore to myself that I would make the endeavor a success, both for my lovely wife and the children we will someday have.”
“Oh, Lord Viol…”
I can’t believe he thought of something like that.
Unlike me, concerned only with the immediate future, Lord Viol seems to be thinking long-term about the country and me as well… And that had led him to this great project.
Children, though…
I hadn’t even pictured it yet. But any child of Lord Viol’s would be adorable. When I imagined a little cherub with black hair, black eyes, and plump cheeks trying their best to use magic, I couldn’t help but smile.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“Ah, I was just getting excited thinking about what our child would be like. I wonder if they’d be magically inclined or not.”
“They say magical power is hereditary, especially if both parents have a lot of it, but there’s no proof either way. And I’m sort of like a mutation in the gene pool anyway… Although my family is made up entirely of commoners… Maybe it’s just skipped a few generations.”
Come to think of it, that made sense.
Even in my family, only a few ever became High Mages. Marietta, for example, didn’t have any special magical powers. That’s why High Mages are treated as high-ranking nobles… Usually, they only come once a generation.
“Magic power doesn’t really matter, does it?” Lord Viol’s voice was very steady. “It’s not like their lives will be lacking without magic. If they’re interested, we can always teach them magic. You and I may have become High Mages, but both our fathers have had fulfilling careers even without magic. I feel as though it doesn’t matter so much whether they have inherent magical powers or not.”
That’s true… Father doesn’t have any magical powers, but he seems to be enjoying life just the same.
It was good for Lord Viol and me that we just so happened to have magical powers and enjoy the practice of magic. But that doesn’t mean everyone else feels that way. Like Lord Viol said, it didn’t really matter. It was more important that our child follow his or her heart.
“Yes. You’re so right.”
“Anyway…” Lord Viol hesitated for a moment and gave a wry smile. “I know I was the one who brought up the topic of children, but it’s not like I want to have kids right away or anything.”
“Oh, you don’t?”
“Nope. We’ve finally gotten to spend real time together. I want to cherish my time with you, Seren. I don’t think there’s any need to rush into having children.”
“Well, indeed.”
Lord Viol was blushing as he said that, and it tickled me so much I had to giggle. “These kinds of things happen when the time is right. Surely the gods will give us children when it pleases them, won’t they?”
“Hehe, well, I’m sure they will.”
A very Lord-Viol-like way of thinking.
There’s certainly no need to rush. Like Lord Viol said, we should enjoy our time just the two of us and then enjoy the child-raising years when the right day comes.
“Still, I can’t help thinking all about it now… What if I gave birth to a boy exactly like you, Lord Viol? It will be so fun seeing you run ragged by a boisterous little boy and a sassy little girl… Oh, how fun it would be to ride the cart as a family and go on picnics!”
“You really have thought about it in detail.” Lord Viol looked a little surprised but then burst out laughing happily. “I don’t want to be run ragged, but a picnic sounds like fun. I could conjure up a sandpit with earth magic… Or cast a rainbow with water magic. The children would like that. I’m sure I can come up with infinite ideas for things to delight both you and the children.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m sure you’ll be a great father, Lord Viol.”
“Hmm. Yes, if we have a child, I’ll do my very best to be a good father.”
“I know you will, Lord Viol. I can’t wait to see it.”
“But before that, I want to try my best to be a good husband to you, Seren.”
“You don’t have to try that hard. I mean, I’m already very happy right now.”
“I see.” Lord Viol smiled, looking reassured.
“Since I met you, every day has been busy and full of fun, and I never have a spare moment to get bored. A lot of surprising things do happen, but every day is filled with something new and exciting.”
“Oh, Seren…”
“And today, I realized that dreaming out loud about the future like this is fun, too. I’ve imagined all kinds of things… But no matter what kind of future we have, I know it will be a happy one with you by my side.”
I mean, in all my thoughts of the future, I always have a big smile. Lord Viol said he wanted to be a good husband and father, but I’ve got dreams, too, now… Dreams of the happy future we’ll make together.
“First of all, I want to study hard and become a great High Mage so I can be your most reliable partner. And, now that we’re husband and wife, I’d like to have lots of babies and become a feisty lady of the house just like your mother, Lord Viol.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Lord Viol smiled blissfully. Just seeing his smile made me feel happy, too. I really love Lord Viol so much.
“Lord Viol…” Looking up at him, I whispered softly, “Above all, I… I want to be the kind of wife that makes you want to be together forever.”
“Oh, Seren…” Lord Viol held me tight. In response, I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed tight.
Pure happiness.
I looked up at Lord Viol, my feelings bubbling over, and saw that he, too, was gazing passionately at me. I was the only thing reflected in those obsidian eyes, and all my desires felt so fulfilled.
I love you, Lord Viol.
“I… I love you too, Seren. Let us walk the path of life together, forever.”
The words I was murmuring inside my heart turned into words I’d said out loud. And Lord Viol had responded. At that moment, it was like we were saying our wedding vows together all over again.
In response, I continued to gaze up at him, then closed my eyes slowly.
As if on cue, Lord Viol’s lips slowly descended, gently touching my cheeks and eyelids. He was gentle, as if touching something fragile and precious. Every kiss we’d exchanged since our marriage—this kiss right now—all served to convey the depth of our feelings.
May Lord Viol and I share these passionate embraces, these tender kisses, forever and ever and ever.